Ken took a moment and ran his hand through his messy blonde hair. Breathing deeply, he pressed the sleek phone to his ear. Gotta stay calm. "What I asked earlier you think you can do that for me?"
There was a crackle on the line before it became clear. "Sure..give me five or ten minutes Okay?"
A smirk tugged at the corner of Ken's lips, resembling a smile but didn't touch his eyes. "Thank you, man! I wont waste your time."
Ken slipped the phone in this coat pocket. Slumping in his car he leaned his head back. Damn Derek you crazy son of a bit. You better be glad your my best friend. Ken leaned up correcting his drivers seat as the hum of the engine purred in front of him. These protests are getting out of control. Ken stared out the drivers window at the abundance of humans with their banners countering other humans with humanoid robots at their sides. Those humanoid robots creep me out. They resemble humans a bit to much for my liking. So, it's the purists of human standing in the deviance of the future. Ken pressed the pedal of his car taking a right turn away from the gathering crowd.
All of this strife. "Could robots, humans, and deviants coexist in our world," Ken muttered. Hell, maybe I'm just naïve, but I believe we can build a world where we all thrive."
Turning right onto a familiar street, he passed a small car dealership and the corner café he used to frequent before work became all-consuming. That sight never gets old. Those crystal windows and that four story structure. Despite the recent climate, those investors were right to invest in robot semiconductors.
Ken eased into the employee entrance pulling in car near the front of the parking lot. Quickly making his way out of the car he swiped his key card. The heavy glass doors opened as he made his way inside. A soft hiss of the air conditioner breezed over his forehead as he entered in the lobby.
"Hey, buddy!" Ken greeted, his voice warm as he spotted a short, stocky man hunched over the front desk. The man's wiry gray hair stuck out in all directions, his uniform slightly askew, a cherry-filled donut precariously balanced in one hand.
Taking a bite of his doughnut, Bart wiped his mouth his face a mixture of amusement and irritation. "You better be paying me double my going rate." As he took another bite of his doughnut, a few crumbs fell to the ground. "I'm not IT ya know!"
Leaning down on the down the counter Ken let go a smirk. "Information technology and security…they all are on the same line right? I wasn't doubtful seeking you to handle it all?"
"Those wise-cracking jokes aren't going to age well when I make it to the top," he snorted. "Just let me add all of to my tool box."
"Ha, I'm not going to get you in any trouble." Pointing towards his chin Ken smirked. "I could let you in for some stock picks."
"You involved with insider trading..that sounds like a pipe dream." Bart smirked. "If that were the case you would be on a tropical island somewhere."
"Enough small talk. If you're not down for those tips I'll keep them to myself. What about this? Ken straightened up put his hand on Bart's shoulder. "Why not some extra help around here?"
"Wait…your offering me some keys to the kingdom." Bart scratched his chin his eyes tracing Ken's body. "All of that for me?"
"You know what! In a world of lazy bums you rise above the rest." Ken clapped his hands pushing himself off the counter.
Bart shook his head his fizzy hair covering his eyes in jest. "Thanks, Ken. I mean it."
"Don't mention it," Ken replied, turning toward the back offices. As he walked away, Bart's voice followed him, lighter than before.
Bart huffed as he trotted to catch up with Ken, who was striding ahead with purposeful speed. "Hold up! Don't go back there without me!"
Ken peered back, a smirk tugging at the edge of his lips. "Don't worry buddy, but I am pressed for time. Tell me where to go and let's get to it."
"Tsk! Just don't get lost okay!" With a slight wheeze, Bart hustled in front of Ken and waved him toward a nearby elevator. "Alright, this is it. Follow me."
The pair stepped into the elevator, and Bart jabbed a button that Ken hadn't even noticed. "We went two floors below the basement…I didn't even know that was a thing." Ken eyebrows raised as the placed his hands on the smooth metal of the elevator doors.
Bart pouted. "This place is know to only the chosen."
"The chosen right," Ken jeered.
The elevator doors slid open as Ken's eyes gaped at the scene before him.
What is with this space? There is furniture from a long time ago all over the place. I feel like I'm in a time machine. There is almost an eerie charm to this place. Those computers seem classic yet relevant. "Say Bart, how is this all running? I mean who's payroll is this on?" Ken stepped out of the elevator, his eyes still tracing the vast area in front of him.
Bart hooted, "Who knows, I'm glad the lights are still on. Probably some billionaire who forget this place was on his pay roll. He's probably paying it with his dividend's"
Ken let go a high-pitched whistle. "What do you know about dividends?"
Bart tried to compose himself. "I try to keep up with the time Mr. High Rolling Investor."
Ken shook his head. "Whatever you say. Maintenance crews are a strange breed. But, honestly, I can see the appeal of this place."
Bart took a seat in a plush leather chair and leaned back gesturing toward a laptop that slid forward from a concealed compartment in the desk. "Alright, let's get to work. Remember how I told you I'd help track Derek's phone? What's his number?"
Ken quickly pulled out his phone and texted Bart. Taking a glance around the room he tapped his foot. "I would expect you to have something grand…a bit more than the laptop."
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that. This laptop is mighty. Sit back and watch me work! The screen displayed lines of code and flashing interfaces, far more sophisticated than anything Ken had seen on the computers upstairs. "You'd be surprised what this baby can do," Bart muttered, a grin creeping across his face.
Ken dragged his foot against the tiled floor, the rhythm portraying his frustration. "How much time do you need?"
Bart turned his chair around to face Ken, tapping his fingers together and grinning. "Relax, golden boy. I've got this under control. You'll have what you need before you can complain."
Ken leaned against the desk, watching Bart work, his usual bravado giving way to quiet concern. Whatever they discovered about Derek, he had a sinking feeling it wouldn't be good.